Plucking device

Abstract

Plucking device with two elongated, cylindrical, plucking elements positioned at some distance from each other, to be rotated in opposite directions and mounted along a conveyor track for slaughtered poultry said elements being provided with helical toothing with such a pitch, that with a suitable chosen rotational speed of the elements, the poultry is driven by the elements in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor track.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Device for the plucking of slaughtered poultry, comprising two elongated, cylindrical, plucking elements with surface irregularities which are positioned at some distance from each other and can be driven rotatingly in mutually opposite directions and which are mounted along a conveyor track for slaughtered poultry which is being transported hanging thereon by the legs, in which at least over a part of the length of both cooperating elements the surface irregularities are formed by helical toothing cooperating over at least a part of the length of the elements and having such a pitch, that with a suitable chosen rotational speed of the elements, the poultry is driven by the elements in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor track. 
     
     
       2. Device according to claim 1, a screening plate being mounted in front of each plucking element. 
     
     
       3. Device according to claim 1, in which the centerlines of the elements are converging in the direction of transport. 
     
     
       4. Device according to claim 3, in which the converging angle has been selected at such a value that the distance of the elements at the intake end corresponds with the diameter of the shaft of the feathers to be removed. 
     
     
       5. Device according to claim 1, in which the rotational speed of the elements is synchronized with the transport speed of the conveyor track. 
     
     
       6. Device according to claim 1, in which the pitch angle is approximately 45° . 
     
     
       7. Device according to claim 1, at least two pairs of elements being mounted at a distance above each other. 
     
     
       8. Device according to claim 1, the pairs of elements being mounted next to each other in the direction of transport. 
     
     
       9. Installation for the plucking of slaughtered poultry which is transported along a conveyor track hanging on its legs, comprising at least one device according to claim 1, followed in the direction of transport by a known plucking device, as known per se.